June 23, 2022
Dear Colleague:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is tracking the outbreak of monkeypox that has occurred in several countries that do not normally report human cases of monkeypox, including the United States. As of June 22, 2022, more than 3,300 cases have been reported in 42 countries around the world, including 156 cases in the United States. There have been no deaths reported in the current outbreak. We do not yet know how all these cases are connected or how they were initially exposed to the virus that causes monkeypox. Many of these cases have occurred among gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men. CDC is urging healthcare providers in the United States to be alert for patients who have illnesses consistent with monkeypox (including rash, fever, and lymphadenopathy), regardless of gender and sexual orientation.
Enclosed is additional information regarding what we know about monkeypox, monkeypox infection prevention and control, what CDC is doing, and what you can do to help protect your patients.
Sincerely,
Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, MPH Director, CDC
Enclosures: